Alpha Hop Society: Barrel-Aged Passionfruit Double IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Well here is a weird one I didn't think would be any good, but turned out serviceable (unlike the rigid Alpha Hop Society which I quickly abandoned). Have had this twice now. Don't listen to nonsense about this beer being sour. It isn't.

Pours a malty color, plenty of copper looking notes going on here, hallmark of crystal malt double ipas. Made an impressive head I didn't see coming, one full inch of off white head. Good retention. The aroma was interesting, and dare I say approaching complex instead of the train wreck I thought it would be. When I think Chinook hops, passion fruit, bourbon and caramel, I think, mess, but it actually was enjoyable to smell all the different directions it was going.

Taste had kind of a mixed drink bourbon meets passionfruit push up front. The hops and bitterness were way behind the bourbon and passionfruit, in fact the caramel came next. Was it a great dipa? No. Was it better than expected? Yes. I just don't think bourbon barrels and hops are good together, but it turned out its not horrible. Neat to try, but not gonna catch on.

Bottle #273/465, 8.7% abv

I forgot to take notes as I was drinking it. As I best recall the base was a really good Double IPA and the passionfruit made its presence WELL KNOWN. I've never eaten a passionfruit straight up, but using this beer as an example, they must be pretty tart because this beer was sour. Didn't get much barrel flavors.

I enjoyed it and would like to see another stab at aging an IPA with this fruit.

I couldn't help but wonder what complexity some brett would have added to the whole thing.